Pope Benedict Bids Farewell

Pope Benedict XVI on Feb. 28, 2003 became the first pope in nearly 600 years to step down from the papacy.

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Pope Departs Vatican

Nuns wave to a helicopter with Pope Benedict XVI onboard in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. The 85-year-old German Pope Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.